Steering wheel with at least one covering element

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a steering wheel with at least one covering element, which is preferably affixed above an insert of the steering wheel rim ( 3 ). According to the invention, at least one mechanical connecting element ( 11 ), in particular a clip-type connecting part, is placed between the steering wheel ( 1 ) and the covering element ( 5, 6 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel having at least one covering element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Steering wheels generally comprise a steering wheel skeleton having a plastics, e.g. polyurethane casing. In addition covering parts of a shape-stable material are frequently stuck onto the steering wheel. These covering parts have a decorative function and often have for example a visible wooden surface.

[0003] The drawback with these covering parts is that the production of the adhesive connection is time-consuming since the steering wheel has to remain in an adhesive device until the adhesive has hardened. Since the steering wheel is exposed to vibrations it cannot be ruled out that the adhesive connection will become loose.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a rapid secure connection between the covering part and the steering wheel.

[0005] According to the invention this is achieved through the features of claim 1.

[0006] With a steering wheel having at least one covering part according to the invention at least one mechanical connecting element is provided between the steering wheel the covering part. A clip-like connecting element is preferably provided.

[0007] This type of connection has the advantage that the connecting part can be connected to the steering wheel by short-term pressure. In addition in this case an adhesive joint can also be provided between the covering part and the steering wheel. The mechanical connecting elements ensure the necessary pressure on the covering part so that an adhesive device is no longer necessary.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment it is proposed that clips are fixed on the insert of the steering wheel rim and that recesses associated with the clips are provided on the covering part so that the clips can be pressed therein. The clips are preferably designed so that they engage partially round the steering wheel rim insert and that they have in the area associated with the recesses on the covering part sections which are bent outwards at least in part. These bent sections increase the secure hold of the clips in the recesses of the covering part.

[0009] A further design proposes that the bent sections have points running symmetrical relative to each other.

[0010] The mechanical connecting elements preferably extend into the lower part of the steering wheel casing and/or this engages at the top round the clips at least in part. To this end the connecting elements are preferably fitted onto the insert prior to fitting the casing on the steering wheel skeleton so that they are fixedly connected to the casing when it is fitted.

[0011] It is further expedient if the clips have outwardly bent ends in the lower part. An even better adhesion in the casing can thereby be achieved.

[0012] With a further embodiment the clip-like connecting part is mounted next to the steering wheel rim insert and the covering part has at least one clasp which engages over the clip-like connecting part. Since the clip-like connecting part is mounted next to the skeleton ring it is also readily possible to fix the covering part on the steering wheel which is only to run on one side on the steering wheel.

[0013] In a preferred design of this embodiment the clip-like connecting part is mounted on a centring plate which is fixed in the steering wheel casing and/or on the skeleton ring. The clip-like connecting part thereby has on the one side bent-up sections acting opposite the centring plate and on the other side further bent-up sections acting opposite the clasp.

[0014] The clasp is deformable in the area of the clip-like connecting part and/or has openings for engaging the bent-up sections. The centring plate likewise has openings for engagement of the bent-up sections.

[0015] In one embodiment the clasp is made of wood and has an insert of plastics for engaging the clip-like connecting part.

[0016] The invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a sectional view II-II through the steering wheel according to FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 shows on an enlarged scale a detail E of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows on an enlarged scale the upper area of FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through a clip;

[0022]FIG. 6 shows a side view of a clip;

[0023]FIG. 7 shows a section II-II through a second embodiment of the steering wheel according to FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 8 shows on an enlarged scale a detail E according to FIG. 7.

[0025] A steering wheel 1, has as the essential constituent parts, a skeleton with spokes 2 and a steering rim insert 3 which are enclosed by a casing 4 of in particular PUR foam. The steering wheel is provided on its top side with covering parts 5, 6. These do not extend over the entire top side of the steering wheel but are arranged as segments wherein the covering part 5 is longer than the covering part 6. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 the covering parts consist of a pressure-cast aluminium support 7 on which a wooden coating is applied. This coating comprises an under veneer 8 and a top veneer 9 which is sealed by a polyester layer 10.

[0026] Several clips 11 are arranged on the steering rim insert 3. The number of clips depends on the length of the covering part. Thus the covering part 5 is allocated four clips and the covering part 6 three clips (not shown). FIGS. 3 to 5 show that the clips have in the area of the steering rim insert 3 a cross-section matching the circular cross-section so that they partially engage round the steering rim insert and are anchored on same. When they are fitted onto the steering rim insert the clips are elastically bent up and then fit close against the steering rim insert. The clips have in the lower part outwardly bent ends 12, 13. These project into the casing 4 and ensure an extra firm seat for the clips. In addition the casing 4 engages round the clips 11 by a section 4 a.

[0027] Above the steering rim insert 3 each clip is adapted in its cross-section to the cross-section of each recess 14 in the support 7 into which it is pressed. It can be seen in particular from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the clips have in this area sections 15, 16 which are bent out at least in part. The bent sections have tips 17, 18 running symmetrical relative to each other. The sections thus formed ensure in addition a fixed connection between the support 7 and the clips 11.

[0028] In addition to the mechanical fastening the support 7 and the casing 4 can be stuck together. A space 19 is thereby filled with adhesive. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the casing 4 is narrower than the covering part 5 so that it can still be encased by a further layer, e.g. with a circumferential leather cover (not shown) so that the casing 4 then has the same width as the covering part 5.

[0029]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having a cover 5 mounted on one side. It can be seen from the enlarged view of the steering wheel rim in FIG. 8 that the casing 4 is covered with soft foam 20 which is trimmed with leather 21. In the view of the steering wheel rim a free standing centring plate 22 is arranged on the left next to the steering wheel rim insert 3 and is fixed in the casing 4. This centring plate serves to fix the covering part 5. For this clips 23 are provided on the centring plate 22 which have bent sections 24, 25 by means of which they are held on the centring plate 22.

[0030] The covering part 5 consists of a clasp 26 which is provided with a plastics insert 27. This is associated with the bent sections 15, 16 of the clips 23 which during fitting of the clasp 26 press into same or engage in openings (not shown) of the plastics insert 27 whereby the covering part 5 is fixed on the steering wheel. The covering part is generally to have a wooden structure. The clasp 26 is therefore trimmed with an under veneer 28 and a top veneer 29 which is sealed by a polyester layer (not shown). It is however also possible to make the clasp from a wood whose surface is to be visible and to treat the surface so that no veneer is necessary. 

1. Steering wheel having at least one covering part which is preferably fixed above an insert of the steering wheel rim wherein at least one clip-like mechanical connecting element (11, 23) is provided between the steering wheel (1) and the covering part (5, 6) characterised in that a recess (14) is associated with the clip-like connecting element (11, 23) outside of the steering wheel rim insert (3) on the covering part (5, 6) and the clip-like connecting element (11, 23) can be pressed into the recess.
 2. Steering wheel according to claim 1 characterised in that clips (11) are fixed on the insert (3) of the steering wheel rim and that recesses (14) are associated on the covering part (5, 6) with the clips (11) so that the clips (11) can be pressed therein.
 3. Steering wheel according to claim 2 characterised in that the clips (11) are formed so that they engage partially round the steering wheel rim insert (3) and that they have in the area associated with the recesses (14) on the covering part (5, 6) sections (15, 16) which are bent at least partially outwards.
 4. Steering wheel according to claim 3 characterised in that the bent-up sections (15, 16) have points (17, 18) running symmetrical relative to each other.
 5. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the clips (11) have in the lower part outwardly bent down ends (12, 13).
 6. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the mechanical connecting elements (11) extend into the lower part of the steering wheel casing (4) and/or this engages at the top at least in part round the mechanical connecting elements (11).
 7. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that at least one adhesive spot is provided between the covering part (5, 6) and the steering wheel (1).
 8. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 1 and 5 to 7 characterised in that the clip-like connecting part (23) is mounted next to the steering wheel rim insert (3) and that the covering part (5, 6) has at least one clasp (26) engaging over the clip-like connecting part (23).
 9. Steering wheel according to claim 8 characterised in that the clip-like connecting part (23) is mounted on a centring plate (22) which is fixed in the steering wheel casing (4) and/or on the skeleton ring (3).
 10. Steering wheel according to claim 8 or 9 characterised in that the clip-like connecting part (23) has on one side sections (24, 25) bent up and acting opposite the centring plate (22) and on the other side further sections (15, 16) bent up and acting opposite the clasp (26).
 11. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 8 to 10 characterised in that the clasp (26) is deformable in the area of the clip-like connecting part (23) and/or has openings for the engagement of the bent-up sections (15, 16) and that the centring plate (22) has openings for the engagement of the bent-up sections (24, 25).
 12. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 8 to 11 characterised in that the clasp (26) is made of wood.
 13. Steering wheel according to claim 12 characterised in that the clasp has an insert (27) of plastics for engagement of the clip-like connecting part (23). 